Don Jr.’s ill-advised attempt to smear Biden and Jimmy Carter backfires with storm of outrage
Over the centuries, U.S. presidents have left a wide variety of legacies. But none will ever be remembered with as much loathing and revulsion as the thankfully sole term of Donald J. Trump — no matter how hard his children try to pretend otherwise.
In his interminable fight to win his father’s approval, Donald Trump Jr. tried to preemptively smear President Biden’s administration by labeling him as the next Jimmy Carter, and not the Frank Delano Roosevelt that many in the media have begun to compare him to on the basis of his surprisingly progressive agenda.
Biden isn’t the next FDR he’s the next Jimmy Carter.
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) May 7, 2021
While Carter’s presidency may not have been the most successful in the world, his legacy of compassion and generosity — which includes helping to nearly eradicate the deadly Guinea worm disease from African drinking water and personally working to build Habitat for Humanity homes well into his 90s — stand in stark contrast to the spite, hate, selfishness and ugly division that Donald Trump leaves in his wake.
Social media immediately erupted in fury at the Trump scion’s poorly considered attempt to smear President Carter.
if you were smarter you’d know what a self-own it is to mock adored philanthropists when your family has stolen so much from its own charities that it’s legally barred from ever running one again
— shauna (@goldengateblond) May 7, 2021
Things Jimmy Carter accomplished that your dad didn’t:
Won the popular vote (daddy lost 2x)
Won a Nobel Prize
Wasn’t impeached 2x
No Emoluments Clause violations
Enjoyed higher approval ratings
Didn’t have world leaders laugh at him
Didn’t line his pockets
Could speak coherently— Loretta Sanborn (@loretta_sanborn) May 7, 2021
Jimmy Carter was one of our best presidents
The man builds houses for those in need
No one in your family could ever measure up to this pic.twitter.com/nxSuU1y9xu— Sapientia🌬😷💉💉💨🎏 (@terrasapientiae) May 7, 2021
I cannot think of a nicer compliment than to be compared to Jimmy Carter.
An honorable, compassionate, and loving Christian man, loyal to his bride, Jimmy Carter is still teaching Sunday School and building homes for Habitat for Humanity in his 90s.
— Travis Akers (@travisakers) May 7, 2021
Well, Jimmy Carter did have to pick up the pieces from a corrupt Republican who was about to be impeached, so I see the connection.
I guess that makes you son of Dick?
— Leslieoo7 ☠️ 🇺🇲 (@Leslieoo7) May 7, 2021
And: President Carter is world-renowned humanitarian who builds homes for the poor, not sits on guilded toilets, not steals from charities, not told 31K while in office, not had to settle discrimination & fraud suits, & never incited insurrection.
— Ken Simon (@KenSimonSays) May 7, 2021
if you were smarter you’d know what a self-own it is to mock adored philanthropists when your family has stolen so much from its own charities that it’s legally barred from ever running one again
— shauna (@goldengateblond) May 7, 2021
Opinion columnist and former editor-in-chief of Occupy Democrats. He graduated from Bennington College with a Bachelor's degree in history and political science. He now focuses on advancing the cause of social justice and equality in America.